A look back in horror ...

... well, maybe not "horror" but 2008 had a lot of sketchy moments for me, the country, our planet.

But - I'm not going to blog about any of them. Who wants to reminisce about the crappy stuff? Life's too short for bitching and moaning all the time.

So, today's the last day of 2008 and I can't believe how fast time flew. In fact, I threw a clock and a banana out the window this morning to compare and contrast how things fly. Not very well, I might add, and now I'm going to be hungry and will probably sleep in tomorrow.

Anyway, family life continues to be fun and comfortable. Peter can be a handful at times, but he's also the spark that lights my way home after work each day. Laura, who hates to be mentioned in anything on the Internet for fear of identity theft (and doesn't know I have this blog), is becoming an awesomier (probably not a word) mom every day. Laura and I are able to catch our breath every now and again, and remember to be crazy-in-love couple of 39 year olds.

Our extended families are doing well and we're thankful for their love, guidance and distractions.

We are starting to make a few "friends" out here in this barren wasteland, so staving off insanity and depression for another year is definitely a plus.

Work is fine - there are sick people in the suburbs as well, I have found. Some of them actually take their meds and listen to my advice. It's shocking, frankly.

I was able to row and scull much more this last summer and while I have an extra few pounds on these days, I'm pretty healthy for the most part (knock on wood). My bonsai's are doing OK and I had my first official visitor to the "Steve Cytrynowicz Saint Paul Bonsai Reserve" this summer (Hi, Linda!).

Laura and I are trying to scrape together offspring #2, but it's taking a few months more than the last time. Keep your fingers crossed that my swimmers are good and her eggs aren't past their expiration date. Guess we'll have to keep on trying (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

So, the economy sucks, we have too much debt, we still live 1300 miles away from our closest family members and we still don't have too many friends in this weird state.

But, all in all, I fell pretty lucky and thankful these days.

So, until the "fugue" clears ... Peace and Happy New Year!

It's starting to look like Christmas ...

... especially with blowing snow and falling temps.

I haven't really been in the "christmas-spirit" the last several years. For no reason, really, just bogged down with life and work, etc.

But I feel an increasing glow from that tiny ember of spirit in my otherwise cool heart these days. I seek out the 24 hour Christmas song station on the radio while I'm in the car. I want to see gaudy front-lawn decorations. I was excited to see that Laura had put up the christmas tree early this year. I look forward to a cracking fire while Peter opens up presents on Christmas morning.

That's probably it - Peter. He's getting old enough to maybe not understand the holiday, but he'll be old enough to appreciate the gifts and family time.

It'll be a few years before he can get the "cool toys" that I'll want to play with, but when I have the chance to make him happy like every 22 month old should be - then I'll gladly call that christmas-spirit.

Peace on Earth, good wil to all men (and women).

Now, I just have to find something good for the wife ...

I want to write a book ...

... but I don't have much talent, any free time or know how to do it.

Plus, it's a dying medium - relegated to take-offs and landings and laying on the beach.

But ... let's see what I can do anyway.

Smatterings ...

... Facebook is still evil. There's an application called "kickmania" where you paste the FB picture of a friend (or acquaintance!) on the body of an unsuspecting generic girl/guy and then you kick the shit out of them - for distance! Like I said, evil ... but disturbingly fun.

... Jock or nerd? I went to my 21st high school reunion (In know, 21st? don't ask), and while a majority of my former classmates were cool, upstanding and interesting people, there were still a handful who were acting like they were still 17. Oh well, not everyone grows up.

... News flash - Minnesota winters still suck after 7 years.

... Children are amazing. I had a particularly enjoyable weekend with my 21 month old. He was pulling out some expressions, actions and abilities that frankly blew me away. I know I'm prejudiced ... but I think he's a genius.

... I've come up with inverse workout law. The older you are, the more you need to work out. The corollary: the older you are, the less you like to work out. The corollary to the collary: the older you are, the harder it is to work out. The inverse of the inverse: everything is completely the oppopsite, the younger you are - less need, more time, easier.

I now know what my dad meant when he used to say to me as a kid, "Steven, don't get old".

Peace